Hi everyone,

I was in Mexico for some weeks, so a bit late with my november-song. Maybe because the many songs on Forum I saw this morning, I can imagine you haven't missed me yet.
But here is my new song. In Dutch, because once in a while I do this: https://soundcloud.com/user-296497130/in-een-notedop
It is a melancholic, acoustic song with a nice rhythm.
The lyrics are not heavy and describe a life in a nutshell. I have them here and also translated in English.
Hope you find time to listen to it and to let me know what you think of it, what mistakes I made or whatever you want to tell me,

Hans Berkhout / Birchwood
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Instruments
Style: FELONY.STY (Felony Pop Piano Mountain Folk)
RT Bas: 3496, acoustic
RT guit. Nylon: 3236, Fingerpicking
RT Mandola: 3155
RT guitar: 3185, acoustic
RT Synth violins: 1543
RT Drums: FunkyCountryPop [Multi]Vocals: me

Mix: Logic Pro, Melodyne, Fabfilter EQ/ Comp./DS, Neutron3, Space D, NeoverbMastering: Ozone 9

========================================================
In een notendop
(c) HWBerkhout, oct 9, 2020

Verse
Ik was nooit alleen, genoot van mijn dromen
Het echte leven moest nog komen
En ik zou dit moeten zien, want er was zeker iets
Maar waar ik ook zocht, ik vond niets
Daarom maakte ik mijn eigen wereld
Voor wachten had ik geen geduld

Chorus
Ik reed dan op mijn paard langs ravijnen en zee
Al mijn dromen reden met me mee
De wind door mijn haren en ik in galop
Dit was ik, in een notendop

Verse
Ik speelde graag alleen, was dit zo gewend
Veel drukte had ik nooit gekend
Het waren avonturenboeken die ik graag las
En ik wenste dat ik daar bij was

Chorus
Ik reed dan op mijn paard langs ravijnen en zee
Al mijn dromen reden met me mee
De wind door mijn haren en ik in galop
Dit was ik, in een notendop

Verse
Ik werd ouder, verloor veel dromen
Want het echte leven was ook echt gekomen
Maar van avonturenboeken ben ik nog steeds een fan
en ik wens dat ik daar bij ben

Chorus
Ik rijd dan op mijn paard langs ravijnen en zee
Mijn paar dromen neem ik met me mee
De wind door mijn haren en ik in galop
Dat ben ik, in een notendop

Ja, ik rijd op mijn paard naar die 'eeuwige bron'
waar het leven eindigt en ook begon
De wind door mijn haren en ik in galop
Dat was ik in een notendop, 
in een notendop, notendop

-------------------------------
In a nutshell / English
(c) HWBerkhout, oct 9, 2020

Verse
I never was alone,
enjoyed all my dreams
Real life was yet to come
And I would see it, it's sure there was something
But wherever I searched, I couldn't find anything
That's why I created my own world
I was too impatience waiting so long

Chorus
I then ride my horse along ravines and sea
And all my dreams ride with me
The wind through my hair when I galloped
This was me, in a nutshell

Verse
I liked to play alone, was used to that
I had never known much fuss
It were adventure books I loved to read
And I wished I was there too  

Chorus
I then ride my horse along ravines and sea
And all my dreams ride with me
The wind in my hair when I galloped
This was me, in a nutshell

Verse
I got older, lost many dreams
Because real life really had come
Still I am a fan of adventure books
And wish I am there too

Chorus
I then ride my horse along ravines and sea
My few dreams I take with me
The wind in my hair when I galloped
That's me, in a nutshell

Yes, I then ride my horse to that 'Eternal Well'
Where life ends and also began
The wind in my hair when I galloped
That was me in a nutshell,
in a nutshell, nutshell...

Hans,

First off, a terrific write. I’m sure something’s lost a bit in the translation but it’s sweet—lot of heart there, capturing that sense of what we give up as we grow older. The song itself is really well done—nice harmonies, richness in the chorus. The synth violins sitting under the mix are very effective. Really, really enjoyed this!

Oh, and where’d you score that great pic of the walnut with the zipper—perfect!

Kind regards,

Deej

Your mother tongue sounds great from your mouth.
I rather enjoyed the Dutch than the translation knowing you'd have been word perfect in it.
Fabulous.
Dat was jij, in jouw element.

Hans, enjoyed your "ride" through life..especially liked your vocal harmonies, and how you took a little turn at the end musically. Very pleasing and overall excellent production. Thanks!

Hi Deej, thanks for your very nice reply on the song. I do like to read you enjoyed it. I did too when singing this one.
And you are right on the translation. It wasn't precisly a copy of the Dutch lyrics. It is very difficult to translate all the feelings, at least for me. I know, being a translator is a profession I don't really possess.
About that nut, I almost decided to take a foto of an empty shell, but then decided to take this one, because I liked that zipper too!




Hi Ray, I really appreciate your words and your Dutch line! You are right about the English translation. Read my answer to Deej above.
I have to correct one thing; these are my lyrics, not from my mother. I think she would have been proud because in a way it could have been hers.



Hello Tano, it was a 'ride' in a nutshell that I enjoyed making. I was trying to make a Blues. While trying some melody angles I got tired and tried something else. That was this melody. No Blues at all! It nearly wasn't completed, my wife doesn't like it much when I sing in Dutch. To stiff, she says. Because I am a (bit) stubborn, I continued. So I'm extra pleased you liked it!

Thank you all for your nice words.
Stay safe,
Hans

Loved your life in a nutshell, Hans. A wonderful write, and thanks for the English translation. The song was wonderful in Dutch and I really like listening to your language spoken or sung, but your words --your lyrics-- are SOOO perfect. Hope you had fun in Mexico, and yes, you were missed. This is a hit on many levels.

Hoi Hans,

good to see you've returned safely.

You let me hear one of the earlie versions and I already told you that I consider this song one of your best. You've improved so much with everything you're doing: vocals, sound etc..

The song is not only good by itself, it also sounds very excellent. Like always terrific backing track. Very enjoyable. Maybe I should consider to sing in German which would mean: no grammatical or lexical mistakes, no accent ;-))))))))))))))

Seriously, I do like it when you're singing in Dutch.

Take care,

Stefan

Hans,

This sounds really good.

A good BAND. Nice vocals. Cool harmonies. A good mix.

I always enjoy hearing you sing in Dutch!

Well done.

fj

Very nice piece.

Well written.
Sounds good.
I feel the story in your voice.

moto

Hi Marty, thanks for your nice Dutch words on SoundCloud. Really appreciated them! It looks like a real Dutchman could have written it, although I think they rather have HipHop songs than nutshell things. Thanks also for your kind words in this forum. The English translation was by far not perfect, or -as Ray said, in words they are perfect (not in their meaning)-. For instance, the past tense in the beginning and at the end of the song were meant differently and I don't think I was able to convey this in the translation. But who cares as long as you like the song.
It was very nice in Mexico, but a lot of police in the streets controling if you wear masks (cubreboca they are called) outside or in a car. We don't have that in my country, although we are (Covid) Red and Mexic is Orange. And it does me good you missed me. Thanks for that too!



Hello Stefan, how nice to read your reaction. It is even better than the one I received earlier! I am glad you are participating more and more on this forum. That means it's getting better all the time (I know, also a song of a wellknown group). I hope Maha does too!
I don't think it's a good idea you singing in German. You already have a brother doing that. Don't compete. And I like your singing in English. Also I'm not sure it is meant as a compliment to me (the mistakes, the grammar etc), so probably my next song will be in English again ;-)
We'll contact later!


Thanks for listening and stay safe,
Hans

Really well done - fantastically well written, and it flows amazingly well even though I didn't understand a word! So thanks for the translation. Harmonies are on point, and the lyrics really are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing

I always find it really interested to listen to songs in other languages. I actually have a lot of German rock on my playlist. Something about good music just transcends language I think! Thanks for sharing.

Lovely song. Thanks for the translation. Beautiful. I enjoyed hearing you sing your song in Dutch--very moving and heartfelt. Nice composition and movement. Great sound.

Sounds good to me, Hans.

I like hearing you sing in Dutch, vocal sounds great as does the harmonies.

Enjoyed the listen!

Hello Birchwood,

It's a very gripping song filled with dreams and very colorful. The melody is pretty and singing it in Dutch adds a charm. I liked. Well done.

Kindly regard

Dero13
alias JaniJack Flash

Hi Floyd, Captain, Deryk and Ember,

Thanks for your nice comments on this song. After your quotes I will reply to you seperately;



This judgement gave me a very good feeling, Floyd! I only wondered what this means for my singing in English...



My wife doesn't like it much when I sing in Dutch. Not because of my voice, but words come too close for her when the lyrics are sensitive. But I like your last line hearing the story in my voice. Very nice said, Moto!



I like that line where you say the song flows so well even though you don't understand a word. The nice paret of that is you can listen more to the whole melody and not getting distracted by the words or so. Appreciated your compliments Deryk!




Hi Ember, I missed you for a while. Nice reading your comments! I wonder what kind of German songs you like; Rammstein or Bonez?
And I liked what you said what it does when listening to foreign languages. I can share that feeling, although we consider Enlish not as one of them. That language is so all around us (what doesn't mean I understand it all).

Have a nice day to you all,
Hans

Although I don't speak or understand Dutch Hans, the message still comes through in the emotion of the song! Your vocals are always excellent! Also liked that reverb effect on the snare! Great work, T

Hello Texasfrets, Dave, Dero13 and Torrey,

Thank you all for your nice comments on the song.
I appreciated to listen to the Dutch words although you couldn't understand a word of it.
But what I liked most in your comments is that you liked me singing in that language.
I never felt sure if I'm doing that, because I never did it, until I tried it some months ago with some poems from my mother.
If you had seen how many doubts i had on releasing them!
I really think comments like yours helped to me to feel more at ease on this matter.
Never too old to learn and try (with a little help...).

Nice sunday,
Hans

This one slipped by me Hans. Lovely song. Super vocal. While I did not understand the lyrics I did understand the feeling and heart you put into the song. Music is truly a universal language. Well done

"I got older, lost many dreams
Because real life really had come
Still I am a fan of adventure books
And wish I am there too "

In any language that is a very nice sentiment.

We just came inside from a walk in our forest looking at
fall leaves and this song is the first one we have
listened to. The woods were pretty as is this song.

We like everything about it. Your lead and harmonies vocals
are excellent as is the band and the mix. We, as you know,
love the blues but you turned this into something special
without the blues idea you began with.

We don't speak a syllable of Dutch but it is a lovely language
in sound.

Enjoyed it!

J&B

Hans,
I barely found your tune! 4th page. Either time flies faster than I though it does or there is a wave of creative people coming in, which is a good thing. Hope you received a good dose of sun and tequila on your trip.

Your new tune is is excellent, for the reason that I believe it sounds sincere, judging by the drive and translation. Cool vocal doubling. Nice work in fusing acoustic and electronic instruments together. Mix is one of your best. Believe it or not, no complains this time Thank you for sharing.


Misha.

As many have noted, we enjoy your Dutch singing a great deal. You supply lyrics so we have all we need to appreciate it. Very good song and lyrics, sung well! Keep it up!

Really like the melody and the feel of the music!! Nicely done Hans!! Take care. Greg

I too enjoy hearing the song in Dutch; it conveys the emotion of the song without even needing to read the English translation. Excellent instrumentation, singing, and harmony.

Hi Scott, yes, I also think we can better have music than some other stuff that's going around. Thanks for your compliments!



Hi Janice and Bud,

In a nutshell; a forest allways is nice, in whatever season you wander through it. I now just did the same as you (wandering through the woods), only I listened to another song I now made (in English). In that one I imagined I was a god looking at my creation (Earth). But back to this one, it has some autobiocrafic things in it and you picked out that one about the book. I had to smile for this reason and was thinking at the same time of something else; that John Lennon vocal. Have you heard it? Thanks for your nice comment!

Hans

Hi Misha, I thought you didn't like the song and kept silent. But I'm glad I had this wrong. And I am more than happy with your comment on it. Especially that you had no complains!
I agree with you there are more and more good musicians nowadays on the forum. Before you know it you are on page 10 or so. Very good you could find me. I still have to figure out how to do that. But thanks a lot for your comment!




Hi TuneMonger, as you also complimented me with me singing in Dutch I ask myself what to do now; continue singing in Dutch or in English as well? It's much easier making Dutch lyrics than English ones, but singing in Dutch is more difficult. Everyone is used to English songs and I sang them all my life (with or without mistakes). So my next song will be in Eglish again.../



Hi Greg, thanks for this comment. Appreciate yor words!



Hello Ezekiel, it is a nice feeling and thought to know that people like to listen to your language and 'understood' the emotion. Like that, thanks!

I wish you all a nice weekend,
Hans